Education Outlook in Jammu & Kashmir

According to the most recent census, the overall literacy percentage of Jammu & Kashmir was 55.50% (66.6% for males and 43.0% for females), a full 10% below India’s overall literacy rate of 65.38%. ASER 2009 indicated that only about 50% of children in Std I to V can do subtraction or more. With such low achievement levels in both reading and math, a great deal of work is needed to brighten the horizon for the children of Jammu & Kashmir. Through government partnerships and the mobilization of volunteers to support improved learning outcomes, Pratham aims to make a difference.

Background

Pratham started its work in Jammu & Kashmir in 2007. Pratham had a non financial partnership with the state government’s education quality department, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and worked in approximately 5,000 schools of six districts from 2007 to 2009. Throughout this time period, Pratham mobilized and trained volunteers in Pratham’s child-friendly curriculum and pedagogical approach. These volunteers worked in schools to support teachers and provide extra, targeted attention for struggling students for certain periods during the class day. Pratham provided its unique skill-based materials, designed to support children at all stages of the learning process, tracking learning outcomes throughout the program to ensure that all children lived upto Pratham’s fundamental goal: “Every child in school… and learning well.”

Reach 2010-11

1350 Volunteers Mobilized
1556 Schools
1500 Government Teachers Trained
36,631 Children Reached.

Government Partnerships

In the Jammu region, Pratham has conducted 2 cycles of 3 month-long learning enhancement program in government schools. These learning enhancement programs are conducted in collaboration with the state SSA, following the model described above. In addition, Pratham has conducted summer camps in math and English to promote continued learning and to help struggling children to catch up, rather than falling further behind. In the Kashmir region, Pratham conducted one cycle of learning enhancement programming in government schools, and looks forward to continuing and expanding our programs in the future.

Block Excellence Program

Pratham mobilizes supplementary volunteers in 16 Blocks of 6 districts of Jammu & Kashmir to teach classes in government schools. These volunteers are trained in Pratham’s Methodology, and help the work of government teachers to maximize student performance in English and Mathematics throughout the school year.